Anti-Logging Ad Will Fly at Portland Airport, Court Rules

PORTLAND, OR - A controversial anti-logging billboard ad welcoming visitors to "Oregon, Home of the Clearcut!" will be allowed to be displayed at Portland International Airport (PDX) following a ruling by the Multnomah County Circuit Court.

The Port of Portland, which manages the airport, had rejected the advertisement, which resembles a tourist postcard featuring a clear-cut patch of forest. The ad promotes the website clearcutoregon.com, which notes that the billboard ad campaign was launched in August 2013 by Oregon Wild, Portland Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and the Center for Biological Diversity. The group says the goal of the ad is "to draw attention to the shortcomings of the rules governing logging in Oregon" especially as it applies to laws regulating timber harvesting on private and federal forests.

“We declined running the ad not based on its content, but based on our long-standing policy against accepting any political or religious messages, regardless of viewpoint, as we strive to create a welcoming environment for all visitors in Portland International Airport," Steve Johnson, media relations manager of the Port said in a written statement obtained by KOIN TV.

“The court followed well established principles of freedom of expression under the Oregon Constitution, said David Fidanque, executive director of the ACLU of Oregon. “We hope that the Port of Portland will now put this matter to rest by allowing Oregon Wild to display their ad at the airport as soon as possible.”

The ACLU of Oregon said a version of the ad was displayed at Eugene Airport "without controversy."

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About the Author:

Rich Christianson

During his 25+ years covering the wood products industry, Rich has toured hundreds of manufacturing plants throughout North America, Europe and Asia. His reporting has covered everything from the state of the industry and impact of wood imports to technology and environmental issues. He is currently based in Chicago.